The General Assembly of the United Nations has proclaimed 2009 the International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009). This international year wasan initiative of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and UNESCO. The UN resolution was submitted by Italy, the country where Galileo Galilei made the first astronomical discoveries with a telescope.

The IYA2009 will be a worldwide celebration of the contributions made by astronomy to the world's community and culture. The celebrations will reach their climax on the 400-year birthday of the first use of an astronomical telescope in the year 1609. The first discoveries could not have taken place without this telescope, which was invented just a little earlier in the Netherlands. The commemoration of that event will already take place in the fall of 2008. With this International Year, the initiators hope that world citizens will rediscover their place in the universe and embark on an astonishing and wonderous journey through space. The IAU especially wants to raise the interest of young people in science and astronomy.

The first astronomical use of a telescope started a scientific revolution in 1609, which radically altered our view of the world. 400 years later, modern telescopes on earth and in space explore the universe in almost every wavelength 24 hours per day. Moreover, astronomy has been a science which leads to transgressing collaborations for thousands of years: geographically, culturally, racially, and also regardless of sex or age, which is exactly in line with the principles of the UN-charter. In that respect, astronomy is a classical example of the way in which science can contribute to the reinforcement of international collaboration.

 In The Netherlands, a National Committee was established to prepare the 2009 activities for both the general public and education. With the Dutch theme "Het heelal: ontdek het zelf" ("The universe: discover it yourself"), the committee hopes to reach as many people as possible and let them discover the wonders of our universe. More than ninety countries and fourteen organizations world-wide have announced that they will help to make the International UN Year of Astronomy 2009 a success.

Special Dutch website for IYA2009: www.astronomy2009.nl